NEW ORLEANS – Cross country is in the air.

Here is the Week 2 edition of the NCAA DII Women’s Cross Country Regional Rankings for the 2024 season, as released on Tuesday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

Regional Rankings are determined subjectively by a single member coach in each respective region. The regional representative is tasked with weighing returning teams’ strength with current season results (if applicable) in determining a rank-order of squad potential. Only USTFCCCA member programs are eligible to receive a ranking. Teams with provisional status within the region may be ranked.

Regional Championships Saturday is set for November 9.

Atlantic Region

Projected AQs: No. 1 Slippery Rock, No. 2 Davis & Elkins, No. 3 Shippensburg

Next in Line: No. 4 Kutztown

In the Hunt: No. 5 Edinboro

The Atlantic Region experienced quite a shakeup this week, with the previous No.1 Charleston (W. Va.) falling out of the top 5 completely! No.1 Slippery Rock and No.5 Edinboro both finished ahead of Charleston (W. Va.) at the Youngstown St. Invitational, with the teams going 3-4-5 in the team standings. Slippery Rock’s Anna Igims got under 18 minutes to take home top individual honors and help her team get on top of the regional rankings. With Charleston falling, No.3 Shippensburg and No. 4 Kutztown both shifted up one spot from last week. 

Central Region 

Projected AQs: No. 1 Augustana (S.D.), No. 2 Nebraska-Kearney, No.3 Pittsburg State

Next in Line: No.4 U-Mary

In the Hunt: No. 5 Winona State

No. 2 Nebraska-Kearney and No. 4 U-Mary swap spots this week. Many Central Region squads were in action at the Roy Griak Invitational’s Maroon 6k this weekend. No.1 Augustana (S.D.) stays on top of the region after taking the Maroon team title, with four runners placing in the top ten. U-Mary had two runners in the top 5, but could only manage second overall in the team standings. No. 2 Nebraska-Kearney placed second overall in the Women’s Gold 5k at the Woody Greeno/Jay Dirksen Invitational, just a point shy of the team title. 

East Region

Projected AQs: No. 1 Southern Connecticut State, No. 2 Daemen, No. 3 Bentley

Next in Line: No. 4 Jefferson

In the Hunt: No. 5 Adelphi

A few East Region squads were in action at the UMass Dartmouth XC Invitational on Saturday. Southern Connecticut State holds on to their top spot this week after placing 11th out of 45 teams. Behind them was No. 3 Bentley, who had an impressive 13th place team finish, which pushed them into the final AQ spot. No. 5 Adelphi knocked St. Anselm out of the top 5, with the Panthers finishing 18th overall in the team standings. 

Midwest Region

Projected AQs: No.1 GVSU, No.2 Lewis, No. 3 Cedarville

Next in Line: No.4 Wayne State (Mich.)

In the Hunt: No.5 Walsh

There were no changes in the Top 5 in Week 2. 

South Region

Projected AQs: No.1 Lee (Tenn.), No. 2 Florida Southern, No.3 Nova Southeastern

Next in Line: No. 4 Tampa (Fla.)

In the Hunt: No.5 Mississippi College

The South’s top-4 teams stay unchanged this week. However, No. 5 Mississippi College returns to the top 5 after their sixth-place finish at the Rhodes College Invitational. 

South Central

Projected AQ: No.1 Adams State, No.2 Western Colorado, No.3 CSU-Pueblo

Next in Line: No.4 Colorado School of Mines

In the Hunt: No.5 UC-Colorado Springs

The top 3 remain the same, but No. 4 Colorado School of Mines had themselves QUITE a weekend. The Orediggers took home the team title at the Roadrunners Invitational over No. 5 UC-Colorado Springs, No. 7 Colorado Christian, No. 9 Colorado Mesa and D1 powerhouse University of Colorado. While No. 1 Adams State competed at Roadrunners as well, they did not front enough athletes to contribute for a team score – their full squad should be back next week at the Joe Piane Notre Dame Invitational. 

Southeast Region

Projected AQ: No. 1 Wingate, No. 2 Catawba, No. 3 Flagler

Next in Line: No. 4 Lincoln Memorial

In the Hunt: No. 5 Anderson

No. 1 Wingate and No. 2 Catawba took care of business this week, going 1-2 at the 2024 Converse Kickoff. No. 4 Lincoln Memorial placed fourth at the Kickoff, moving them past No. 5 Anderson and into our fourth-place spot. 

West Region

Projected AQs: No. 1 Western Washington, No. 2 Chico State, No. 3 Biola

Next in Line: No. 4 Alaska Fairbanks

In the Hunt: No. 5 Cal State Stanislaus

There were no changes in the Top 5 in Week 2.